Tues 26/6 – 18567 steps with 4 flights
After much indecision about what to do in LA, I booked us a VIP tour of Universal studio, starting at 8am. We were instructed to be there by 7:30 and google maps said it would take about an hour to get there from our RV Park. So we were up at 5, and in the Uber by 6:15. Well, it took 20 minutes to get there and it was deserted. We thought we would try to find a coffee shop, but nothing was open. However, we stumbled onto the boulevard and had the whole place to ourselves. What a pleasure! I recommend arriving this early to anyone. I have to admit I found it all rather exciting, actually rather thrilling, in fact, I was like the proverbial kid in a candy store.
When the turnstiles opened, we were ushered to the VIP reception and they suggested we join the 7:30 tour. There was a fabulous feast set up for breakfast, coffee, yoghurt, pastries and savoury croissants. We could also help ourselves to mints, lip balm and sunscreen. We were greeted by our host for the day, Lary with 1 r, and headed off through the still empty streets of the amusement park.
We boarded a trolley and went for a tour of the Universal Studio sets. It was mind-blowing. We had a lovely small group and were driven around on a small “trolley” bus, going into sites that the normal tour does not get to see. There were no crowds. We went through areas where you “travel” through a building with the most awesome 3D effects. One was Jurassic Park and we were chased by dinosaurs and the other some CIA or FBI team (with Dwane Johnson) chasing down a “most wanted” and we helped them save the world. It was so realistic and exciting. David also loved it.
Lary was informative and amusing. We went through sets where they filmed Jaws, Pyscho, War of the World, The Grinch who stole Christmas and even Desparate Housewife’s Wisteria Lane, to mention just a few. Not all these were Universal productions, but they hire out the sets to other companies. They were apparently filming a cowboy movie, so some sets were “hot”, but we did not get to see any of the big name actors who are apparently in it. We went inside the sound studio where they film Superstore, as well as a street of famous cars and also the prop storage facility. You cannot believe the amount of furniture, décor, costumes, etc that they store for their own use, or for hire to other studios.
Then it was off to the amusement park, with quick passes to all rides. Absolutely my best, but David’s nightmare. He started off very wary, and was a bit white after the first few rides. Then we went to a fabulous buffet lunch at the Moulin Rouge, where he met Marilyn. Thereafter, we went to a special effect show which was very entertaining. After that, back to the rides, saving the best, Hogwarts, for last. Our last ride ended with us playing Quiditch along with Harry Potter. It was so realistic, we felt right in the game, swooping down between turrets, narrowly missing other players and feeling the heat of dragons breathing hot fire at us.
I guess anything after that would be flat, but we still had a day of hop on hop off tour and we had not been to walk of fame. However, it was so crowded, I decided I could skip the pavement stars. David took pictures of 2 he recognized, Sandra Bullock and Jim Gray. When I asked him who Jim Gray was, he had no idea, without his glasses he thought it was Jim Carey. So we did a bit of the bus ride, more landmarks, but it was feeble and we decided to get off.
We walked past a block in urban LA where tar has been bubbling to the surface for thousands of years and no-one knows why. Very interesting to see. Then we went to Farmers Market, which was wonderful, so many interesting permanent stalls and an “ABBA” band playing on the pavilion, so we watched for a while, bought Chinese takeaway in case we were hungry when we got home and then found an Uber. The Uber driver was far more informative than the bus tour and took us home so we could see some of the homes of the wealthy. Incredible day and the Chinese was delicious.
Chuckle of the day: so much real laughter my cheeks were sore.
What I learnt: I found a couple of things in LA which I absolutely love and there is still a rather active inner child inside me. And have I mentioned the restrooms yet?
Kim's journey 